The flat-coated retriever is one of Britain’s oldest gundog breeds but is sadly in decline as a working gundog.  The breed’s bloodline is obscure but it is considered to be cross between the Labrador retriever and a setting breed, possibly the Gordon setter.  Some suggest that the border collie was introduced into the breeding of the flat coated retriever, giving rise to a ‘wavy’ coat that was further refined by selective breeding into the flat coat of this breed.

The influence of the European, St. Hubert’s hound is also a factor in the establishment of this breed and the dogs capabilities, particularly in retrieving from water and as a marshland retrieving breed seem to bear this out.

It was a popular dog with the Victorians and later with the Edwardians, but, like its cousin the curly coated retriever, it was replaced on the shooting field by the Labrador retriever at the turn of the 20^th century.  Although well capable of competing at field trials with the more popular Labradors and golden retrievers, the flat coated retriever are now owned and worked by dedicated retriever handlers with a liking for a slower and more methodical type of retrieving dog.